Predicting 49ers starting lineup after 2020 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Linebacker
MIKE: Fred Warner
WILL: Kwon Alexander
SAM: Dre Greenlaw
The 49ers developed one of the better linebacker trios in the NFL last season, thanks largely to the emergence of 2019 fifth-round NFL Draft choice Dre Greenlaw.
Greenlaw’s ascent, thanks to veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander‘s elongated pectoral injury, assures the Niners they’ll have a deep and potent rotation throughout the course of the upcoming season as long as everyone remains healthy.
As far as the positions go, San Francisco made it so the three linebacker spots — MIKE, WILL and SAM — were much more interchangeable than they were under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh the previous two seasons.
Instead of the strong-side backer being up on the line of scrimmage, the three will play back in a traditional stack role.
There’s little reason to remove the defensive play-calling duties from third-year pro Fred Warner.